Scammers claim to be Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police are warning about a telephone scam that uses their name.

Police say they've received several recent complaints from citizens who say individuals claiming to be state troopers have called them and demanded money to clear arrest warrants or get criminal charges dropped.

Lt. Mark Cotter said Friday that in two similar cases, male callers with foreign accents called Oregon residents. Caller ID showed the calls as originating from 9-1-1 and the callers identified themselves as members of the Oregon State Police.

Cotter says Oregon State Police don't demand money from citizens under any circumstances. He says the calls resemble similar scams reported across the country.